Latest Articles

If you feel like IT professionals are speaking a different language when they discuss your information technology, then this guide is for you. It's hardly comprehensive, but hopefully it will give you some knowledge and insight to improve the next interaction with your technical advisor. …

Small businesses are making a bigger impact than you may realize. Here are some key statistics that show just how much of a difference small businesses are making today in the job market, economy, and more. …

The WannaCry ransomware attack has organizations across the globe looking for protection. Our partners Fortinet and Microsoft recommend.. …

With an increasing amount of data moving to the cloud, it's essential to evaluate your remote data security risks. These questions and answers can bolster your cloud security and show areas where your organization could improve.…

Have you avoided networking situations because you weren't sure how to approach them? Or does networking make you nervous, because you don't know anybody? That's okay! Networking is a learned skill. Here are some tips (in no particular order) to calm your nerves and make you a networking pro. …

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance sounds like a dry topic until you find yourself in the middle of a sticky situation. The ADA is also one of the most challenging employment laws for organizations to navigate. That's why we've provided some tips to help you stay compliant. …

Choosing between a cloud solution or an on-premise is very difficult. Here is some quality advice and information about the various cloud platforms you can consider to meet the future demands of your business. …

The never-ending pile of resumes continues to grow, and it can seem like a monotonous and annoying process to go through them and sort out the good from the bad. To help you sort through that pile a little faster, here are some key things to look for in a resume that shows that the candidate may be a good fit for the position.  …

If you've logged on to Facebook at all recently, chances are you've seen one of your friends post about the concerts they've been to (and one they haven't been to), and that you should guess which concert they're lying about. This social media "game" started out as a fun activity, but as it's grown in popularity, it's turned into a hacker's gold mine. Social Engineering... …

Ransomware is a form of malware software that "kidnaps" access to your network, applications, or data until a certain amount of money is paid by the victim. All organizations, large and small, need to be prepared for ransomware attacks, and should have a comprehensive strategy to reduce their risk of being impacted. …

It's a Monday morning and you just got a nice white blanket of snow to trudge through on the way into the office. You know your employees are dealing with the same thing, and you know how delays impact productivity. So, how do you handle it? If you have a flexible IT infrastructure, you could allow your employees the flexibility of working offsite. Here's how... …

Regulatory fines. Doesn't that seem like something you only hear about in the news? According to research from the 2017 NSBA Small Business Regulations Survey one in 10 small businesses will be fined for regulatory noncompliance at some point. So, even though it may seem highly unlikely that you'll ever be issued a citation, it's actually quite possible.…

But there's another side of business mobility that we want to delve into: enterprise mobility. Here are six Citrix statistics that revealed key insights into today's enterprise mobility landscape. …

These days, it seems like there are regulations for everything, and small-business owners can easily be overwhelmed trying to stay on top of each rule to stay compliant. They're time consuming, expensive, confusing, and they cause a lot of headaches. But are there really more regulations now than there were five or ten years ago?…

Recently, I was asked by Seniors Housing Business if I thought the senior living industry was currently experiencing a "slow technological evolution or a rapid revolution." My response went a step further, because there is a steady stream of new technologies being announced, and senior living industry needs to know what to do with them. …

Research from the 2017 NSBA Small Business Regulations Survey reveals that within the first year, small-business owners start to realize the costs and headaches associated with regulations. With the burden of regulations weighing down on the owner, it can impact the growth of the organization and hinder business investments. Read on to find out just how much of an impact regulations truly have. …

Does your business have the speed and bandwidth to meet its needs today and into the future? Watch the video below to learn what the Aureon Fiber Optic Network offers...…

Is your organization part of the 64 percent looking to revamp their cybersecurity infrastructure? Ensuring your organization is secure can be overwhelming, which is why we've taken the liberty to provide our top 12 areas of focus to help you minimize data security threats.…

This week is all about Aureon Technology, and our dedication to providing comprehensive technology solutions that free up organizations to focus on what they do best. Here's everything that we have planned for the week. …

For small business owners, the complexities of both local and federal regulations continue to grow, and so do the costs of staying compliant. A recent NSBA survey questioned many small businesses owners, and its finding demonstrated the toll that regulations are taking on businesses. Here are some of the key facts you need to know. …

Any amount of downtime can cost you potential profit, and can negatively impact your reputation with current and potential clients. Is your company prepared for the loss of revenue or profit, and more importantly, lifelong clients? Here are some key facts behind downtime and disaster recovery. …

Channel Partners, a resource for sales channels offering IT and telecom systems and services, is pleased to announce that Aureon, a business solutions provider, has been selected as a winner of the 2017 Channel Partners 360° Business Value Awards.…

With online and mobile banking taking over the financial services industry, it's becoming increasingly difficult for financial institutions to defend themselves from all of the data threats out there. One of the best ways for financial institutions to build a solid defense is through Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). …

Recently, there's been a lot of activity around the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and health care in general. Here's a summary of what's been happening recently in the health care realm, and some things you can do now to prepare for whatever may come next. …

Today there are many different kinds of services and solutions that allow organizations to be mobile with their day-to-day functions, and together they are completely changing how business is done. If your organization is looking to implement solutions to enable workplace mobility in the near future, here are six solutions to think about. …

Today, our email inboxes are flooded with spam, junk, and other unproductive information that's not relevant to our business. On top of the useless emails we get, there's also malicious activity, such as malware attacks or phishing, which try to trick you into clicking on fraudulent content. A recent Google Security Blog went in to detail about what specific threats plague both personal and corporate inboxes. Here's what they found.…

Are you tired of hiring employees that leave a few months later? Try using the behavioral interview when questioning candidates to increase your chances of hiring employees that will be a good fit for your organization and stay long-term.…

It's no secret that at some point, employees are going to leave their job for a better opportunity. But what pushes them to the point where they want to leave and find something else? Here are a few key reasons. …

What makes your organization unique? Why would someone want to work at your organization? If it's difficult for you to quickly formulate a response, then odds are that you may need to put a stronger emphasis and focus on your workplace culture. …

While our name is only a year old, Aureon brings more than 90 years of experience to our clients. In our first year under the Aureon brand, we've seen a number of major challenges arise in the areas of HR, technology, contact center, and staffing, which affect our clients' ability to scale and grow their business.…

Is your organization running out of IP addresses? It could be. As the volume of internet-connected devices continues to increase, the current internet addressing scheme, known as Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), is at its capacity. The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), the governing board for IP number allocation, is not assigning new IP space in almost any circumstance. This is a worldwide issue that affects every organization and needs a solution.…

According to an IBM report, the health care industry was the most targeted by cyber criminals last year, and, as a result, more than 100 million records were jeopardized. So, how do you ensure that your health care organization's records won't be the next victim of a cyberattack? It starts with securing your Internet of Things (IoT) devices to foster a secure health care environment for everybody. …

Organizations should pay as much attention to the consumers on social media as they do incoming calls, chats, and emails. Fast, accurate, and warm responses have as much of an impact as being greeted with a smile and friendly voice when checking into your favorite hotel. …

Today's senior living management firms have to open new senior living communities as quickly as possible. Your technology partner should also be working with you every step of the way, from pre-planning to launch. Click below to learn more about how you can streamline the process of launching a new community.…

Petosa Law, LLP, a legal services firm, had some critical hardware and software components aging and approaching "end of life" status. Petosa began analyzing whether it should purchase new infrastructure (such as servers and storage) or move to a cloud platform where its software applications, data storage, and backups would run on hosted virtual servers within a data center. …

At some point, your current leaders are going to leave or retire. In fact, the Social Security Administration says that, on average, 10,000 baby boomers retire every day. What will you do when your leaders retire? Who will take their place? This is where succession planning comes in and saves the day. …

While it is extremely important to have an effective password policy in place for all employees, this shouldn't be your only defense. It's best if a strong password is only the first layer of your organization's security, not the only one. Here are some additional ways beyond the password that your organization can implement. …

Over the years I have found the most rewarding parts of my career have been those related to building lasting relationships with people I have come to respect. I enjoy working with business partners, clients, and fellow employees to solve difficult challenges and help us all become better at what we do. …

Here are six facts from the Hiscox report that are particularly interesting and illustrative of why small businesses need reliable IT partners to defend against cybersecurity and provide support when they happen.…

In this competitive job market, I've found that staying on top of the latest trends greatly influences how you recruit and how you attract top talent. To get the attention of great talent, you need to know where they are, what they like, and how they're engaging recruiters. With 2017 officially off and running, consider these five recruiting trends for your own organization. …

The following technology truths are shaping the way we do business today, and will shape the future, as well. The first four truths are from a Microsoft Business Blog article, and are important trends to consider. In addition, the fifth truth describes a shift in purchasing strategy that continues to increase in popularity. …

Have you ever worried that your immediate staffing needs may be too much to handle by yourself? This is where a staffing agency may be useful to your organization. When choosing a staffing company, make sure they know how to conduct the following three types of evaluations. …

Many different types of businesses are logical candidates for a Meshed WAN solution - most typically those that have two or more locations and a need to prioritize segments of their data traffic due to latency and/or performance concerns. Here are the top four benefits of an MPLS solution.…

At Aureon Staffing, we make it our mission to find great employees for great organizations. We're a leading employment and staffing agency that matches the top 20 percent of talent with the best companies across multiple industries.…

Aureon, a business solutions provider, was named as a finalist for the 12th Annual LWBJ Prometheus Awards. The Workiva Large Technology Company of the Year winner, in which Aureon is a finalist, will be announced on April 20, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center during the Prometheus Awards celebration. …

How do you hire millennials? Why talk about millennials in the workplace? Because by 2020, millennials will be half of the global workforce. Believe it or not, millennials are here to stay. Since there are so many entering the workforce and becoming a major part of the business world, it helps to know what they're like at work, what they aren't, and what they look for in a job. …

Cyberattacks are on the rise, especially for businesses with less than 250 employees. In fact, there was a 38 percent rise in cyberattacks from 2014 to 2015. According to a recent study released by IBM, the average cost of a data breach is now $4 million.The study also reports that the average cost incurred for each lost or stolen record containing sensitive and confidential information is now $158.…

The combination of business growth, aging hardware, and increased network complexity, not to mention their geographic difficulties and product mix, were enough for Albaugh to start the search towards one network management solution. Through some initial research, they identified Fortinet as a top candidate, and subsequently was connected to Aureon as a top Fortinet resource and a Gold Level partner to discuss network security and data protection.  …

When is the last time you took inventory of all the different systems your company and employees use to store sensitive business data? Do you know where all of your applications reside? Is everything stored on physical servers within your office? Does some data reside on individual PCs and workstations (and are these backed up regularly)? What about mobile storage devices such as thumb drives? Does your company have a policy around where people can save private information?…

By 2020, millennial employees will account for 50 percent of the global workforce, according to PwC. As more millennials enter the workforce, it's important to understand what makes them tick and how to keep them engaged and happy at work. To see what millennials look for in a job, what makes them stay, and more, check out our infographic. …

Did you know that marketing strategies can help your recruiting? More and more organizations are finding this out, and it's helped them recruit top talent and retain them. Probably the most important thing that recruiters are borrowing from marketing is the need to have a well-developed brand and culture, because it impacts the workplace environment and employee engagement. …

Earlier this month, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) found they were running low on their supply of peanut butter and hot dogs, a staple for many of their resident canines. An Aureon employee and fellow animal lover, follows the ARL and saw their request. She wanted to help and submitted a request to T3 Cares, Aureon's internal corporate social responsibility committee. The T3 Cares committee reviewed and approved the request.…

While most organizations these days have a wireless network, many are not taking the proper steps to secure it. Now, more than ever, wireless security is important, as hackers are frequently trying to access and steal organizations' private information. Here are some important steps to implement to keep your organization's network secure. …

Car2go, a free-floating car sharing platform (similar to how a library lends books) that now serves one million customers globally, was growing exponentially and needed a partner to handle its customer service. They ended up choosing Aureon as their contact center provider because of Aureon's flexibility to grow with the company and their highly educated associates. …

While the senior living industry has made great strides in overcoming some of the stereotypes, an image makeover is still needed. Terminology, such as the dreaded "nursing home," is widely used, creating barriers to growth. Many communities are in dire need of a cultural shift. Here are a few ways to start thinking about a cultural change. …

Whether recruiting is one of the many hats you wear or you have a full-time recruiter on staff, finding the right people to join your organization is challenging. Check out these tips to not only make the recruiting process easier on your organization, but to enhance the candidate experience, as well. …

One thing that may seem like a constant worry in your organization is cybersecurity, and related planning to keep your business secure. It's important to be knowledgeable about the different layers of cybersecurity, and how they can further protect your organization from unsolicited attacks and hackers. …

Aureon is proud to announce that Katie Roth, President of Aureon Staffing, has once again been named as a mentor of The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute's 2017 Community Connect. This is Katie's third time being involved in Community Connect as a mentor.…

Do you offer many different types of channels for the customer to reach your company? Better yet, do you KNOW what channels your customer prefers to reach you? Most organizations offer a variety of ways for customers to reach out for assistance, but there are still many that really don't think about how those channels work together. …

Strategic planning is focusing on the forest (the big picture), having a vision for what you want your organization to look like in the future, and then coming up with a plan to make it happen. Do fully develop a successful strategic plan, let's look at the last four key areas.…

Want to be more profitable? Be more strategic. To achieve an effective strategic plan that has a well thought-out vision and involves all employees, consider these seven key areas of inquiry. …

What do you think about the current technology that helps you run your business? Is it truly enabling you to grow, scale, and take your business to new heights? Since there are so many hardware, software, and networking services to choose from today, you have the option to choose what's right for your employees and business needs. Here are some essential technologies for security, mobility, and worker productivity you may want to consider.…

If your employees were asked if they think their employer loves them, what would they say? The truth is, you should love your employees. And, perhaps more importantly, you should show them that you appreciate them. Here are a few ways you can show them some love. …

A big part of strategic planning is minimizing risks to your organization. Most organizations just look at market and financial risks. However, there's another type of risk that can also disrupt an organization's day-to-day functions: operational risk. …

For organizations that want to post a recruitment ad, it can be extremely difficult to differentiate their ad from the rest of the noise. This is why coming up with an ad that is creative, attention-grabbing, and unique is essential if you want your organization to stand out. However, this is easier said than done. To help you get started brainstorming your creative recruitment ad, take a look at what these companies have done. …

NEC Display Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, produces and delivers leading-edge visual display solutions for a wide range of marketers and applications. After recently consolidating their monitor and projector divisions, NEC Display Solutions needed support handling their technical support tasks.…

Not having a strategic plan is analogous to not having an itinerary when you get to the airport. Will you make your flights? Will you have time to eat lunch? Will there be someone waiting to pick you up when you arrive? When you are running a business, a strategic plan can help to take the guesswork out of the equation to the highest degree possible. …

If you woke up tomorrow and ran a marathon, how would you fare? It's highly doubtful that you would successfully run the 26.2 miles without months of training, drills, and exercises. The same is true for disaster recovery: The chance that you could successfully recover IT operations without having exercised your plans on a regular basis is slim at best. To combat that, here are 10 best practices you can implement right away. …

Today's workplace is becoming more flexible, which means that there are more employees who set their own hours or work beyond the typical eight to five shift.The help desk has to realize this and ensure that they create a way for their IT Support services to be available at all hours of the day. Easy enough, right? Not so much. …

Having contact center agents that naturally exhibit certain characteristics, coupled with the right training and support from upper management, can go a long way in changing the narrative. Here are a few qualities to look for in contact center agents that help maximize success and keep both the customers and the client happy. …

Do you know what's important to your employees, especially the up and coming workforce of millennials? Put paid parental leave on the list. According to a SHRM study, 16 percent of employers offered paid maternity leave in 2011 and 21 percent in 2015.…

Did you know that approximately 6.5 million Wi-Fi devices are shipped across the nation every day? These days, having Wi-Fi is expected. But have you ever thought how secure your Wi-Fi is? If you offer public Wi-Fi at your organization, it comes with some risks.…

When Waddell & Reed, a Kansas-based financial planning firm, realized that they needed to improve their customer service and help desk response times, they turned to Aureon Contact Center to help them out. Aureon stepped up to the plate, to quickly become their trusted contact center partner, and impacted Waddell & Reed's customer service in a big way.…

When it comes to choosing an HR organization to partner with, you want one that will make good decisions, always pays attention to the tasks at hand and what's going on around them, and won't steer you wrong. They don't wear a "trust me" sign in big, bold flashing letters, unless they're accredited by a trusted third-party organization. Accreditation is a practical way to confirm an organization's financial reliability, regulatory compliance, and history of following industry best practices.…

Interestingly enough, most innovation doesn't happen overnight. You may have innovative ideas every day without even realizing it. Solving problems using a new technique, thinking of a way to optimize operations, or making improvements in customer service are all forms of innovation. …

In order to help you prepare for the upcoming potential changes, we've provided a complete historical timeline of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including some helpful facts and a couple of future dates to be aware of. …

In an ever-changing technological world where hackers are attacking organizations every day, it's no surprise that security should be one of the most talked about subjects. With scams and malware threats on the rise, it's extremely important for business owners to ensure their organization is secure and protected.…

With more states adopting higher minimum wages each year, and a push for higher wages at the federal level, your organization may be affected by a higher minimum wage sooner rather than later. Here's what you need to know about minimum wage hikes, and what it could potentially mean for your organization.…

Aureon announced today the acquisition of Midwest Project Partners (MPP), a Des Moines-based company specializing in project management and management consulting services, primarily for financial services firms throughout Iowa and nationwide. Midwest Technical Partners, LLC and Midwest Procurement Partners are also included as part of this acquisition.…

Aureon announced today the acquisition of BNS Network Solutions (BNS), a Des Moines-based company specializing in complete networking solutions for community banks throughout Iowa and Illinois.…

The INS Family of Companies, a business solutions provider specializing in support services, announced today the launch of a new unified identity. Effective immediately, the INS Family of Companies, consisting of Iowa Network Services (INS), Alliance Technologies, Alliance Connect, Merit Resources, Caleris and Portico Staffing will operate under the name Aureon, reflecting a new unified structure for the organization. With the adoption of its new brand and logo, Aureon has simultaneously launched their new website, Aureon.com.…

Merit Resources, part of the INS Family of Companies, announced today the acquisition of Portico Staffing, a Des Moines-based company that specializes in employment and staffing for a variety of industries, including accounting, finance, engineering and administrative. This acquisition will be effective December 28, 2015. Portico Staffing will retain their existing office space and continue operations out of their existing location.…

Ripple Effect, a partnership alliance between Iowa Network Services (INS) and Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), recently launched a new website, www.RippleEffectWorks.org. According to Sue Cosner, Vice President, Community Initiatives, IADG, the new website showcases many of the successes of the Ripple Effect program since its launch in 2007; and better educates visitors on the financial and technical assistance offered.…